Combinatorial technique applied to the synthesis of carbon nanotubes

Abstract

A combinatorial technique was used to determine the optimum catalyst combination for the efficient synthesis of carbon nanotubes (CNTs). The morphology, length and yield of CNTs greatly differ depending on the catalyst combinations. Among 20 different compositions of mixed catalysts, CNTs of good structure were obtained when the volume ratios of the three precursor solutions-Co(NO3)(2), Ni(NO3)(2) and Fe(NO3)(3)-were 4 : 2 : 4 (island #7) and 1 : 5 : 4 (island # 18).